Imaging System and Method

ABSTRACT

An imaging connector includes a proximal side and a distal side. The proximal side includes a light input opening and an image output opening. The distal side includes a light output opening and an image input opening. The imaging connector is operable to (i) transmit light from the light input opening to the light output opening, and (ii) transmit an image from the image input opening to the image output opening.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This U.S. patent application is a continuation of, and claims priorityunder 35 U.S.C. § 120 from, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/677,410,filed on Nov. 7, 2019, which is a continuation of, and claims priorityunder 35 U.S.C. § 120 from, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/985,040,filed on May 21, 2018, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) toU.S. Provisional Application 62/509,267, filed on May 22, 2017. Thedisclosures of these prior applications are considered part of thedisclosure of this application and are hereby incorporated by referencein their entireties.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to an imaging system andmethod, and more particularly to a system and method for capturing andprocessing images with a personal communication device.

BACKGROUND

This section provides background information related to the presentdisclosure and is not necessarily prior art.

Medical professionals utilize various types of medical devices, such asscopes, to view, diagnose, and treat medical conditions. For example, anendoscope may be used to examine the interior of a hollow organ orcavity of a patient's body. In particular, a nasopharyngoscope may beused to examine a patient's nasal passages and pharynx. Similarly, anotoscope may be used to examine a patient's ear canal.

Image capturing devices and related systems are, likewise, commonly usedin the medical profession to capture images of a patient's body, and,thereafter, diagnose and treat medical conditions. For example, cameras,X-Ray systems, and magnetic resonance imaging systems are used tocapture various types of images of a patient's body.

While known medical devices, such as scopes, and known imaging systemshave proven acceptable for their intended purposes, a continuous needfor improvement in the relevant art remains.

SUMMARY

This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not acomprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

One aspect of the disclosure provides an imaging system. The imagingsystem may include a personal communication device, a scope, and aconnector. The personal communication device may include a camera systemand a light source. The scope may include an input end, an output end, alight-transmitting portion, and an image-transmitting portion. Thelight-transmitting portion may be operable to transmit light from theinput end to the output end. The image-transmitting portion may beoperable to transmit an image from the output end to the input end. Theconnector may be disposed between the personal communication device andthe scope. The connector may include an image transmitter and a lighttransmitter. The image transmitter may be configured to transmit animage from the scope to the camera system. The light transmitter may beconfigured to transmit light from the light source to the scope.

Another aspect of the disclosure provides an imaging connector. Theimaging connector may include a proximal side and a distal side. Theproximal side may include a light input opening and an image outputopening. The distal side may include a light output opening and an imageinput opening. The imaging connector may be operable to transmit lightfrom the light input opening to the light output opening. The imagingconnector may be operable to transmit an image from the image inputopening to the image output opening.

Implementations of the disclosure may include one or more of thefollowing optional features. In some implementations, the light outputopening surrounds the image input opening. The image input opening maybe concentrically disposed within the light output opening.

In some implementations, the imaging connector includes a channel and anaperture. The channel may extend from the light input opening to thelight output opening. The aperture may extend from the image inputopening to the image output opening.

In some implementations, the light input opening is offset from theimage output opening by a distance. The distance may be variable.

In some implementations, the imaging connector includes a medial portionand a lateral portion translatably coupled to the medial portion.

Another aspect of the disclosure provides an image-processing system.The image-processing system may include an encryption module, a memory,a processing module, and a comparison module. The encryption module maybe operable to encrypt an image. The memory may be operable to store theencrypted image. The processing module may be operable to edit theprocessed image. The comparison module may be operable to compare theprocessed image to a pre-selected image.

Yet another aspect of the disclosure provides a method of processing animage. The method may include capturing an image of a first target area.The method may also include encrypting the captured image. The methodmay further include storing the encrypted image. The method may alsoinclude editing the stored image. The method may further includecomparing the processed image to a pre-selected image of a second targetarea.

In some implementations, the first target area is the same as the secondtarget area.

In some implementations, the method includes diagnosing a conditionbased on a difference between the processed image and the pre-selectedimage.

Another aspect of the disclosure provides an imaging system comprising apersonal communication device, an image-transmitting attachment, and aconnector configured to couple the personal communication device to theimage-transmitting attachment. The personal communication device mayinclude a smartphone, a tablet computer, or other similar device, havinga light source and an image-capturing device (e.g., a camera). The lightsource may include a circular, single-point light light-emitting diodelight source having a first diameter.

The connector may include a channel configured to allow the light sourceto transmit light. The connector may be configured to transform thecircular, single-point light to a circumferential light output having aring shape. In this regard, the connector may include a light receiveraligned with the light source of the personal communication device. Insome implementations, the light receiver defines a circular shape havinga second diameter. The second diameter may be equal to the firstdiameter. In some implementations, the connector may include a pluralityof fiber optic strands disposed within the channel and extending fromthe light receiver to a ring-shaped light output.

The ring-shaped light output may be configured to illuminate a distalend of the image-transmitting attachment. For example, the ring-shapedlight output may illuminate a distal end of an otoscope or a distal endof a nasopharyngoscope. The connector may also be configured to alignthe image-capturing device of the personal communication device with animage transmitting portion of the image-transmitting attachment. Forexample, the connector may align the image-capturing device with animage-transmitting channel defined by the connector, allowing imagesfrom the image-transmitting channel to be captured by theimage-capturing device. The light output of the connector may becircumferentially disposed about the image-transmitting channel.

The image-transmitting attachment may include an image guide, a lightguide, and a lens. In some implementations, the light guide surroundsthe image guide. The light guide may include a light guide surface. Insome implementations, the light guide includes an annular channeldisposed about the image guide. In some implementations, the light guidemay include a plurality of fiber optic strands disposed within thechannel. The image guide may include one or more fiber optic strands.For example, the image guide may include a bundle of fiber optic strandsabout which the light guide is disposed.

The annular channel of the image-transmitting attachment may receivelight from the ring-shaped light output end of the connector. In thisregard, the connector may be configured to align the ring-shaped lightoutput end with the light guide surface or the annular channel of theimage-transmitting attachment, such that the light guide surfacereceives light from the ring-shaped light output end and transmits thelight through the annular channel to the distal end of theimage-transmitting attachment to illuminate the target area.

The image guide may include a plurality of fiber optic strands alignedwith, coupled to, or disposed within the channel of the connector, suchthat the image guide is operable to transmit an image from, and of, thetarget area, through the lens disposed at the distal end of theimage-transmitting attachment, back to the channel of the connector andback to the image-capturing device of the personal communication device.In this regard, the channel of the connector may transmit the image to alens of the image-capturing device.

Yet another aspect of the disclosure provides an image-transmittingattachment, such as a scope (e.g., nasopharyngoscope, otoscope,ophthalmoscope, dermoscope, low-level microscope, etc.), attached to apersonal communication device (e.g., a smart phone). Illumination of atarget area (e.g., a patient's body) is provided by a light source(e.g., light-emitting diode) of the personal communication devicetransmitting light via a channel (e.g., a fiber optic light channel) toa distal end of the image-transmitting attachment. An image of theilluminated target area may be carried back through a coherentimage-transmitting device (e.g., a fiber optic cable) of theimage-transmitting attachment to a lens configured to focus the imagefor capture by a lens of the personal communication device.

A further aspect of the present disclosure provides an imaging systemand method configured to leverage the imaging, storage, processing, andcommunications capabilities of a personal communication device.

In some implementations, the method may include capturing an image of atarget area of a patient. The target area may include a condition.

In some implementations, the method may include storing the capturedimage in a memory of the personal communication device. For example, thecaptured image may be encrypted and stored securely in the memory forretrieval using a fingerprint. In some implementations, storage of thecaptured image may satisfy requirements of the Health InsurancePortability and Accountability Act.

In some implementations, the method may include processing the capturedor stored image. For example, the method may include enhancing,marking-up, or “ghosting” the captured or stored image. In particular,the method may include overlaying one of a pre-selected image and thecaptured or stored image relative to the other of the pre-selected imageand the captured or stored image. In some implementations, thepre-selected image may include an image of a target area of a referenceor benchmark specimen. The target area of the reference or benchmarkspecimen may correspond to the target area of the patient. The targetarea of the reference or benchmark may not include the condition.

In some implementations, the method may include comparing the targetarea of the patient to the target area of the reference. For example,the method may include determining whether there are any differencesbetween the target area of the patient to the target area of thereference. In particular, the method may include identifying thecondition of the target area of the patient relative to the target areaof the reference.

In some implementations, the method may include diagnosing thecondition. For example, the method may include diagnosing the conditionbased on the comparison of the target area of the patient to the targetarea of the reference.

Yet another aspect of the present disclosure provides an imaging system.The imaging system may include a personal communication device and aconnector. The personal communication device may include a camerasystem, a display portion, and a handle portion. The display portion maybe configured to display images captured by the camera system. Thehandle portion may extend from the display portion in a first direction.The connector may extend from the display portion in a second directiontransverse to the first direction. The connector may be operable tocouple to a scope.

Implementations of this aspect may include one or more of the followingfeatures. In some implementations, the display portion defines acircular shape.

In some implementations, the connector includes a lens configured toreceive the images.

In some implementations, the connector includes an outer surfaceextending from a proximal end to a distal end. The proximal end may besupported by the display portion. The distal end may be offset from theproximal end by a distance extending in the second direction. The outersurface may be concave. In some implementations, the outer surfacedefines a frustoconical shape extending from the proximal end to thedistal end. The first direction may be perpendicular to the seconddirection.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the descriptionprovided herein. The description and specific examples in this summaryare intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended tolimit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only ofselected configurations and not all possible implementations, and arenot intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an imaging system in accordance with theprinciples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a partially exploded view of the imaging system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the imaging system of FIG. 1 takenthrough the line 3-3;

FIG. 4 is a rear view of a personal communication device and a connectorof the imaging system of FIG. 1 in accordance with the principles of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an image-transmitting device of theimaging system of FIG. 1 taken through the line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of an example image processingsystem in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a side view of another imaging system in accordance with theprinciples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a front view of the imaging system of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a rear view of the imaging system of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrated an example image processing method inaccordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughoutthe drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example configurations will now be described more fully with referenceto the accompanying drawings. Example configurations are provided sothat this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scopeof the disclosure to those of ordinary skill in the art. Specificdetails are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices,and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of configurations ofthe present disclosure. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skillin the art that specific details need not be employed, that exampleconfigurations may be embodied in many different forms, and that thespecific details and the example configurations should not be construedto limit the scope of the disclosure.

With reference to FIGS. 1-3, an imaging system 10 in accordance with theprinciples of the present disclosure is shown. As will be explained inmore detail below, in some implementations, the imaging system 10 may beutilized by a physician or other medical professional in a medicalenvironment in order to capture, store, and process images of a patient.It will be appreciated, however, that the imaging system 10 may beutilized in other environments and by other users within the scope ofthe present disclosure.

The imaging system 10 may include a personal communication device 12, animage-transmitting device 14, and a connector 16. The personalcommunication device 12 may be a smartphone, a tablet computer, or othersuitable computing device. In this regard, the personal communicationdevice 12 is intended to represent various forms of digital computers,such as smartphones, laptops, desktops, workstations, personal digitalassistants, servers, blade servers, mainframes, and other appropriatecomputers (e.g., personal communication device 12). The components shownhere, their connections and relationships, and their functions, aremeant to be exemplary only, and are not meant to limit implementationsof the inventions described and/or claimed in this document.

The personal communication device 12 may include a camera system 18, alight source 20, a memory 22, an image-processing system 24, and adisplay 26. With reference to FIG. 3, the camera system 18 may include alens 28 through which an image can be transmitted. The light source 20may include a light-emitting diode (not shown) or other suitablelight-producing device. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the light source 20and the camera system (e.g., the lens 28) may be disposed on a rearsurface 30 of the personal communication device 12. In someimplementations, the light source 20 is disposed a distance X1 from amedial side 32 of the personal communication device 12, and the lens isdisposed a distance X2 from a lateral side 34 of the personalcommunication device 12. The lateral side 34 may be opposite the medialside 32. The light source 20 and the lens 28 may each be disposed adistance Y1 from an end 36 of the personal communication device 12. Theend 36 may extend from and between the lateral and medial sides 32, 34.The light source 20 may be disposed a distance X3 from the lens 28 in adirection transverse (e.g., orthogonal) to the distance Y1. In someimplementations, a center of the lens 28 may be collinear with a centerof the light source 20 along a line extending perpendicular to thelateral and medial sides 32, 34. It will be appreciated that thedistances X1, X2, X3, and Y1 may vary depending on the particularconfiguration (e.g., size, shape, etc.) of the personal communicationdevice 12 utilized in the imaging system 10.

The image-transmitting device 14 may include a scope, such as anasopharyngoscope, an otoscope, an ophthalmoscope, a dermoscope, alow-level microscope, or other similar device having an input end 40, anoutput end 42, and operable to transmit an image from the input end 40to the output end 42. With particular reference to FIG. 3, theimage-transmitting device 14 may include a housing 44 having alight-transmitting portion 46 and an image-transmitting portion 48.

In some implementations, the light-transmitting portion 46 defines achannel 50 extending from the input end 40 to the output end 42. In thisregard, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the channel 50 may be defined by afirst inner surface 52 and a second inner surface 54 of the housing 44.In some implementations, the first inner surface 52 defines a cylinderhaving a first diameter D1, and the second inner surface 54 defines acylinder having a second diameter D2 that is greater than the firstdiameter D1, such that the channel 50 defines an annular or hollowcylindrical construct. The first inner surface 52 may be concentricallydisposed within the second inner surface 54. The first and second innersurfaces 52, 54 may extend from and between the input and output ends40, 42 to define light inlet and outlet openings 56, 58, respectively,at the input and output ends 40, 42.

The image-transmitting portion 48 may be concentrically disposed withinthe light-transmitting portion 46. In this regard, theimage-transmitting portion 48 may define an aperture 60 extending fromthe input end 40 to the output end 42. As illustrated in FIG. 5, theaperture 60 may be defined by a third inner surface 62 of the housing44. In some implementations, the third inner surface 62 defines acylinder having a third diameter D3 that is less than the first andsecond diameters D1, D2 of the light-transmitting portion 46. The thirdinner surface 62 may extend from and between the input and output ends40, 42 to define image outlet and inlet openings 64, 66 (FIG. 3),respectively, at the input and output ends 40, 42. The outlet and inletopenings 64, 66 of the image-transmitting portion 48 may beconcentrically disposed within the inlet and outlet openings 56, 58 ofthe light-transmitting portion 46.

The image-transmitting device 14 may also include plurality of elements68 configured to transmit images or light from the input end 40 to theoutput end 42, or from the output end 42 to the input end 40, of theimage-transmitting device 14. In some implementations, the elements 68may include fiber optic strands. The elements 68 may include a proximalend disposed proximate the input end 40, and a distal end disposedproximate the output end 42. A first plurality of the elements 68 may bedisposed within the light-transmitting portion 46 of the device 14, anda second plurality of the elements 68 may be disposed within theimage-transmitting portion 48 of the device 14. In this regard, thefirst plurality of the elements 68 may be disposed within the channel 50and the second plurality of the elements may be disposed within theaperture 60, such that the first plurality of the elements 68 surroundsthe second plurality of the elements 68.

With reference to FIG. 1, the connector 16 may include a base 76, alateral arm 78, and a medial arm 80. The base 76 may include a proximalside 82, a distal side 84 opposite the proximal side 82, a lateral end86, and a medial end 88 opposite the lateral end 86. The lateral andmedial ends 86, 88 may extend from and between the proximal and distalsides 82, 84. With reference to FIG. 4, the connector 16 may define awidth W extending from the lateral end 86 to the medial end 88. In someimplementations, the width W may be adjustable such that a user can varythe width W to equal a width extending from and between the medial andlateral sides 32, 34 of the personal communication device 12. In thisregard, the connector 16 may include a lateral portion 90 and a medialportion 92. The lateral portion 90 may be adjustably coupled to themedial portion 92. For example, one of the lateral and medial portions90, 92 may be supported for translation in a direction substantiallyparallel to the width W relative to the other of the lateral and medialportions 90, 92, such that the user can vary the width W by translatingthe lateral portion 90 relative to the medial portion 92. In particular,one of the lateral or medial portions 90, 92 may include male portionand the other of the lateral or medial portions 90, 92 may includefemale portion that receives the male portion (e.g., a dovetail, tonguein groove, etc.) such that the male portion can slide relative to thefemale portion.

With reference to FIG. 2, the lateral arm 78 may include a lateral stopsurface 94, and the medial arm 80 may include a medial stop surface 96.The lateral arm 78 may be supported by the base 76 proximate to thelateral end 86 and the medial arm 80 may be supported by the base 76proximate to the medial end 88, such that the width W extends from thelateral stop surface 94 to the medial stop surface 96.

With reference to FIGS. 2-4, the connector 16 may further include alight transmitter 98 and an image transmitter 100. As will be explainedin more detail, below, the light transmitter 98 may transmit light fromthe light source 20 to the light-transmitting portion 46 of theimage-transmitting device 14, and the image transmitter 100 may transmitimages from the image-transmitting portion 48 of the image-transmittingdevice 14 to the camera system 18 (e.g., lens 28).

With particular reference to FIG. 3, in some implementations, the lighttransmitter 98 defines a channel 102 extending from the proximal side 82to the distal side 84. In this regard, as illustrated in FIG. 4, thechannel 102 may be defined by an inner surface 104 of the connector 16.The inner surface 104 may extend from and between the proximal anddistal sides 82, 84 to define inlet and outlet openings 106, 108 at theproximal and distal sides 82, 84, respectively. In some implementations,the channel 102 extends through the lateral and medial portions 90, 92of the connector 16.

With reference to FIG. 3, the image transmitter 100 may define anaperture 110 extending from the proximal side 82 to the distal side 84.As illustrated in FIG. 4, the aperture 110 may be defined by an innersurface 112 of the connector 16. In some implementations, the innersurface 112 defines a cylinder extending from and between the proximaland distal sides 82, 84 to define an inlet opening 114 and an outletopening 116 at the distal and proximal sides 84, 82, respectively. Theinlet opening 114 of the image transmitter 100 may be concentricallydisposed within the outlet opening 108 of the light transmitter 98.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, in some implementations, the inlet opening 106of the light transmitter 98 is disposed on the medial portion 92 of theconnector 16 and the outlet opening 116 of the image transmitter 100 isdisposed on the lateral portion 92 of the connector 16. Accordingly, auser may adjust the distance between the inlet opening 106 of the lighttransmitter 98 and the outlet opening 116 of the image transmitter 100by moving the lateral portion 90 of the connector 16 relative to themedial portion 92 of the connector 16 in the manner previouslydescribed.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the connector 16 may also include plurality ofelements 120 configured to transmit images or light from the proximalside 82 to the distal side 84. In some implementations, the elements 120may be substantially similar to the elements 68, and may include fiberoptic strands. A first plurality of the elements 120 may be disposedwithin the light transmitter 98 of the connector 16, and a secondplurality of the elements 120 may be disposed within theimage-transmitter 100 of the connector 16. In this regard, the firstplurality of the elements 120 may be disposed within the channel 102 andthe second plurality of the elements may be disposed within the aperture110, such that the first plurality of the elements 120 surrounds thesecond plurality of the elements 120 along at least a portion of thelength of the aperture 110.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, in an assembled configuration, theconnector 16 may be supported by, or otherwise coupled to, the personalcommunication device 12, and the image-transmitting device 14 may besupported by, or otherwise coupled to, the connector 16. In particular,the proximal side 82 of the connector 16 may be disposed adjacent therear surface 30 of the personal communication device 12 such that theinlet opening 106 of the light transmitter 98 is aligned with the lightsource 20, and the outlet opening 116 of the image transmitter 100 isaligned with the lens 28. Similarly, the input end 40 of theimage-transmitting device 14 may be disposed adjacent the distal side 84of the connector 16 such that the inlet opening 56 of thelight-transmitting portion 46 of the image-transmitting device 14 isaligned with the outlet opening 108 of the light transmitter 98 of theconnector 16, and the inlet opening 64 of the image-transmitting portion48 of the image-transmitting device 14 is aligned with the inlet opening114 of the image transmitter 100 of the connector 16. In this way, thelight transmitter 98 of the connector 16 is operable to transmit lightto the light-transmitting portion 46 of the device 14, and theimage-transmitting portion 48 of the device 14 is operable to transmitimages to the image transmitter 100 of the connector 16. Accordingly,the light source 20 can transmit light through the connector 16 and thedevice 14 to the output end 42 of the device 14, and the camera system18 (e.g., lens 28) can receive images transmitted from the output end 42of the device to the proximal side 82 of the connector 16. Inparticular, the connector 16 transmits (i) light through the elements120 to the first plurality of elements 68, and (ii) images from thesecond plurality of elements 68, through the elements 120, to the lens28.

With reference to FIG. 6, an image-processing system 200 is illustrated.The image processing system 200 may include a camera system 201 (e.g.,camera system 18), an encryption module 202, a storage device or memory204, and an image-processing module 206. In some implementations, acomputing device, such as the personal communication device 12, or othersuitable computer, may implement, or otherwise include, theimage-processing system 200. In this regard, the memory 204 maycorrespond to the memory 22, and the image-processing system 200 maycorrespond to the image-processing system 24. Each of the components201, 202, 204, and 206, may be interconnected using various busses, andmay be mounted on a common motherboard or in other manners asappropriate. In this regard, the image-processing system 200 and thecomponents thereof may be implemented in a processor that can processinstructions for execution within the personal communication device 12,including instructions stored in the memory 204 to display graphicalinformation for a graphical user interface (GUI) on an externalinput/output device, such as the display 26. In other implementations,multiple processors and/or multiple buses may be used, as appropriate,along with multiple memories and types of memory.

The memory 204 may store information non-transitorily within theimage-processing system 200 (e.g., personal communication device 12). Inthis regard, the memory 204 may communication with the camera system201, the encryption module 202, and the image-processing module 206. Thememory 204 may be a computer-readable medium, a volatile memory unit(s),or non-volatile memory unit(s). The non-transitory memory 204 may bephysical devices used to store programs (e.g., sequences ofinstructions) or data (e.g., program state information) on a temporaryor permanent basis for use by the image-processing system 200. Examplesof non-volatile memory include, but are not limited to, flash memory andread-only memory (ROM)/programmable read-only memory (PROM)/erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EPROM)/electronically erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EEPROM) (e.g., typically used forfirmware, such as boot programs). Examples of volatile memory include,but are not limited to, random access memory (RAM), dynamic randomaccess memory (DRAM), static random access memory (SRAM), phase changememory (PCM) as well as disks or tapes.

The memory 204 may be capable of providing mass storage for theimage-processing system 200. In some implementations, the memory 204 isa computer-readable medium. In various different implementations, thememory 204 may be a floppy disk device, a hard disk device, an opticaldisk device, or a tape device, a flash memory or other similar solidstate memory device, or an array of devices, including devices in astorage area network or other configurations. In additionalimplementations, a computer program product is tangibly embodied in aninformation carrier. The computer program product contains instructionsthat, when executed, perform one or more methods, such as thosedescribed below. The information carrier is a computer- ormachine-readable medium, such as the memory 204 or memory onimage-processing module 206.

The encryption module 202 may communicate with the camera system 201,the memory 204, and the image-processing module 206. In someimplementations, the encryption module 202 receives and encrypts acaptured image from the camera system 201 prior to transmitting theencrypted image to the memory 204 for storage. For example, the capturedimage may be encrypted and stored securely in the memory 204 forretrieval using a fingerprint. In some implementations, storage of thecaptured image in the memory 204 may satisfy requirements of the HealthInsurance Portability and Accountability Act.

The image-processing module 206 may communicate with the camera system201, the encryption module 202, and the memory 204. In someimplementations, the image-processing module 206 receives an image fromthe camera system 201, or an encrypted image from the encryption module202, prior to processing the image. The image-processing module 206 mayinclude an editing module 208, a comparison module 210, and a diagnosticmodule 212. The editing module 208 may edit an image (e.g., an image ofa target area of a patient) received from the camera system 201 and/orthe memory 204 to produce an edited image. For example, the editingmodule 208 may receive an image of a target area (e.g., an internalorgan) of a patient captured by the camera system 201, and thereafterenhance, mark-up, or ghost the captured image. In some implementations,the editing module 208 may overlay one of a pre-selected image and thecaptured image relative to the other of the pre-selected image and thecaptured image.

The comparison module 210 may communicate with the editing module 208.For example, the comparison module 210 may receive the captured image(e.g., the edited image) from the editing module 208. The comparisonmodule 210 may compare the captured image to a pre-selected image. Inparticular, the comparison module 210 may determine whether the capturedimage matches or appears similar (e.g., identical) to the pre-selectedimage. The pre-selected image may include a reference or benchmark imageof a target area (e.g., an internal organ). In this regard, thepre-selected image may correspond to a normal or ideal image of thetarget area. In some implementations, the comparison module 210 mayoutput the differences between the captured image and the pre-selectedimage.

The diagnostic module 212 may communicate with the comparison module210. For example, the diagnostic module 212 may receive the differencesbetween the captured image and the pre-selected image from thecomparison module. The diagnostic module 212 may diagnose a conditioncorresponding to the captured image. For example, the diagnostic module212 may determine a disease or other abnormality of the target areabased on the differences between the captured image and the pre-selectedimage.

With reference to FIGS. 7-9, another imaging system 10 a for use withthe image-transmitting device 14 is shown. The structure and function ofthe imaging system 10 a may be substantially similar to that of theimaging system 10, apart from any exceptions described below and/orshown in the Figures. Accordingly, the structure and/or function ofsimilar features will not be described again in detail. In addition,like reference numerals are used hereinafter and in the drawings toidentify like features, while like reference numerals containing letterextensions (i.e., “a”) are used to identify those features that havebeen modified.

The imaging system 10 a may include a personal communication device 12 aand a connector 16 a. As previously described relative to the imagingsystem 10, in an assembled configuration, the connector 16 a may besupported by, or otherwise coupled to, the personal communication device12 a, and the image-transmitting device 14 may be supported by, orotherwise coupled to, the connector 16 a.

The personal communication device 12 a may be a smartphone, a tabletcomputer, or other suitable computing device. In this regard, thepersonal communication device 12 a may be substantially similar to thepersonal communication device 12 and is intended to represent variousforms of digital computers, such as smartphones, laptops, desktops,workstations, personal digital assistants, servers, blade servers,mainframes, and other appropriate computers. The components shown here,their connections and relationships, and their functions, are meant tobe exemplary only, and are not meant to limit implementations of theinventions described and/or claimed in this document.

The personal communication device 12 a may further include a handleportion 25 and a display portion 26 a. The handle portion 25 may extendfrom the display portion 26 a in a first direction and may be sized andshaped to allow a user to comfortably grip the handle portion 25 in theuser's hand.

The display portion 26 a may be coupled to the handle portion 25 and mayinclude a graphical user interface (GUI) for displaying graphicalinformation (e.g., images) on an external input/output device. Forexample, as previously described relative to the imaging system 10, thedisplay portion 26 a may display images captured by a camera system(e.g., camera system 18). As illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, in someimplementations, the display portion 26 a defines a circular shape orconstruct having a diameter between two inches and three inches. Forexample, the diameter of the display portion 26 a may be substantiallyequal to two and one-half inches. It will be appreciated, however, thatthe display portion 26 a may define other shapes (e.g., an oval, arectangle, or other polygon) within the scope of the present disclosure.

The connector 16 a may be supported by the display portion 26 a and mayinclude a lens 28 a through which an image can be transmitted to thecamera system 18. In some implementations, a proximal end 27 of theconnector 16 a is coupled to the display portion 26 a, and a distal end29 of the connector 16 a is offset from the display portion by adistance Xa. In this regard, the connector 16 a may protrude outwardlyfrom the display portion 26 a by the distance Xa in a second directionthat is transverse (e.g., perpendicular) to the first direction. Thedistance Xa may be between ten millimeters and fifty millimeters. Insome implementations the distance is substantially equal to thirtymillimeters.

The connector 16 a may include an outer surface 31. In someimplementations, the outer surface 31 is concave. For example, the outersurface 31 may define a frustoconical shape extending from the proximalend 27 to the distal end 29.

With reference to FIG. 10, an image-processing method 300 in accordancewith the principles of the present disclosure is illustrated. The method300 may be implemented by the system 200. In this regard, in someimplementations, the method 300 is implemented by the imaging system 10,10 a (e.g., the personal communication device 12, 12 a).

At step 302, the method 300 may include capturing an image. For example,the method may include capturing an image of a patient. In particular,at step 302, the method may include capturing an image of a target area(e.g., an organ or portion thereof) of a patient utilizing the camerasystem 18, 201.

At step 304, the method 300 may include encrypting an image. Forexample, the method may include encrypting an image of a target area ofa patient. In some implementations, at step 304, the method includesencrypting the image of the target area captured at step 302. Inparticular, step 304 may include encrypting the image of the target areautilizing the encryption module 202.

At step 306, the method 300 may include storing an image. For example,the method may include storing an image of a target area of a patient.In some implementations, at step 306, the method includes storing theencrypted image of the target area encrypted at step 304. In particular,step 306 may include securely storing the encrypted image in the memory204 for retrieval using a fingerprint or other access credentials (e.g.,password).

At step 308, the method 300 may include processing an image. Forexample, the method may include processing an image of a target area ofa patient. In some implementations, at step 308, the method includesediting the image stored at step 306 to produce an edited image. Inparticular, step 308 may include enhancing, marking-up, or ghosting thestored image with the image-processing module 206. For example, at step308, the editing module 208 may overlay one of a pre-selected image andthe captured image relative to the other of the pre-selected image andthe captured image. The pre-selected image may include a benchmark orreference image of the target area. In some implementations, thepre-selected image may include a previously-captured image of the targetarea of the patient.

At step 310, the method 300 may include comparing an image to apre-selected image. For example, the method may include comparing acaptured image of a target area of a patient to a pre-selected image ofthe target area. In particular, step 310 may include determining whetherthe image processed at step 308 matches (e.g., appears similar oridentical to) the pre-selected image of the target area. If step 310 istrue, the method may proceed to step 312. If step 310 is false, themethod may proceed to step 314.

At step 314, the method may include outputting differences between animage and a pre-selected image. For example, the method may includeoutputting differences between an image of a target area of a patientand a pre-selected image of a target area. In some implementations, atstep 314, the method may include identifying and/or outputtingdifferences between the image processed at step 308 and the pre-selectedimage of the target area.

At step 316, the method may include diagnosing a condition of the targetarea of the patient. For example, the method may include diagnosing adisease or other abnormality of the target area of the patient. In someimplementations, at step 316, the method may include diagnosing thecondition based on the differences identified at step 314.

The imaging system 10, including the image-processing system 200, andthe image-processing method 300 may allow a user (e.g., a medicalprofessional) to efficiently and accurately capture images (e.g., imagesof a patient), process the images, and diagnose conditions based on theimages.

The foregoing description has been provided for purposes of illustrationand description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit thedisclosure. Individual elements or features of a particularconfiguration are generally not limited to that particularconfiguration, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can beused in a selected configuration, even if not specifically shown ordescribed. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations arenot to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all suchmodifications are intended to be included within the scope of thedisclosure.

A software application (i.e., a software resource) may refer to computersoftware that causes a computing device to perform a task. In someexamples, a software application may be referred to as an “application,”an “app,” or a “program.” Example applications include, but are notlimited to, system diagnostic applications, system managementapplications, system maintenance applications, word processingapplications, spreadsheet applications, messaging applications, mediastreaming applications, social networking applications, and gamingapplications.

The non-transitory memory may be physical devices used to store programs(e.g., sequences of instructions) or data (e.g., program stateinformation) on a temporary or permanent basis for use by a computingdevice. The non-transitory memory may be volatile and/or non-volatileaddressable semiconductor memory. Examples of non-volatile memoryinclude, but are not limited to, flash memory and read-only memory(ROM)/programmable read-only memory (PROM)/erasable programmableread-only memory (EPROM)/electronically erasable programmable read-onlymemory (EEPROM) (e.g., typically used for firmware, such as bootprograms). Examples of volatile memory include, but are not limited to,random access memory (RAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), staticrandom access memory (SRAM), phase change memory (PCM) as well as disksor tapes.

Various implementations of the systems and techniques described hereincan be realized in digital electronic and/or optical circuitry,integrated circuitry, specially designed ASICs (application specificintegrated circuits), computer hardware, firmware, software, and/orcombinations thereof. These various implementations can includeimplementation in one or more computer programs that are executableand/or interpretable on a programmable system including at least oneprogrammable processor, which may be special or general purpose, coupledto receive data and instructions from, and to transmit data andinstructions to, a storage system, at least one input device, and atleast one output device.

These computer programs (also known as programs, software, softwareapplications or code) include machine instructions for a programmableprocessor, and can be implemented in a high-level procedural and/orobject-oriented programming language, and/or in assembly/machinelanguage. As used herein, the terms “machine-readable medium” and“computer-readable medium” refer to any computer program product,non-transitory computer readable medium, apparatus and/or device (e.g.,magnetic discs, optical disks, memory, Programmable Logic Devices(PLDs)) used to provide machine instructions and/or data to aprogrammable processor, including a machine-readable medium thatreceives machine instructions as a machine-readable signal. The term“machine-readable signal” refers to any signal used to provide machineinstructions and/or data to a programmable processor.

The processes and logic flows described in this specification can beperformed by one or more programmable processors executing one or morecomputer programs to perform functions by operating on input data andgenerating output. The processes and logic flows can also be performedby special purpose logic circuitry, e.g., an FPGA (field programmablegate array) or an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit).Processors suitable for the execution of a computer program include, byway of example, both general and special purpose microprocessors, andany one or more processors of any kind of digital computer. Generally, aprocessor will receive instructions and data from a read only memory ora random access memory or both. The essential elements of a computer area processor for performing instructions and one or more memory devicesfor storing instructions and data. Generally, a computer will alsoinclude, or be operatively coupled to receive data from or transfer datato, or both, one or more mass storage devices for storing data, e.g.,magnetic, magneto optical disks, or optical disks. However, a computerneed not have such devices. Computer readable media suitable for storingcomputer program instructions and data include all forms of non-volatilememory, media and memory devices, including by way of examplesemiconductor memory devices, e.g., EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memorydevices; magnetic disks, e.g., internal hard disks or removable disks;magneto optical disks; and CD ROM and DVD-ROM disks. The processor andthe memory can be supplemented by, or incorporated in, special purposelogic circuitry.

To provide for interaction with a user, one or more aspects of thedisclosure can be implemented on a computer having a display device,e.g., a CRT (cathode ray tube), LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor, ortouch screen for displaying information to the user and optionally akeyboard and a pointing device, e.g., a mouse or a trackball, by whichthe user can provide input to the computer. Other kinds of devices canbe used to provide interaction with a user as well; for example,feedback provided to the user can be any form of sensory feedback, e.g.,visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback; and input fromthe user can be received in any form, including acoustic, speech, ortactile input. In addition, a computer can interact with a user bysending documents to and receiving documents from a device that is usedby the user; for example, by sending web pages to a web browser on auser's client device in response to requests received from the webbrowser.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularexemplary configurations only and is not intended to be limiting. Asused herein, the singular articles “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intendedto include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearlyindicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,”and “having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence offeatures, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do notpreclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps,operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The methodsteps, processes, and operations described herein are not to beconstrued as necessarily requiring their performance in the particularorder discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as anorder of performance. Additional or alternative steps may be employed.

When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,”“connected to,” “attached to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer,it may be directly on, engaged, connected, attached, or coupled to theother element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may bepresent. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directlyon,” “directly engaged to,” “directly connected to,” “directly attachedto,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be nointervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe therelationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion(e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directlyadjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and allcombinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

The terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describevarious elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections. Theseelements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not belimited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish oneelement, component, region, layer or section from another region, layeror section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical termsdo not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by thecontext. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or sectiondiscussed below could be termed a second element, component, region,layer or section without departing from the teachings of the exampleconfigurations.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system comprising: a processor; and memory incommunication with the processor, the memory storing instructions thatwhen executed on the processor cause the processor to perform operationscomprising: receiving an image from an image capturing device, the imagecorresponding to a target area of a patient; encrypting the receivedimage of the target area of the patient; determining a differencebetween the received image of the target area of the patient and areference image, the reference image corresponding to apreviously-captured image of the target area; and diagnosing a conditionbased on the difference between the received image and the referenceimage.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the operations further comprisemodifying one of the received image or the encrypted image, and whereindiagnosing the condition includes comparing the modified image to thereference image.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein modifying the one ofthe received image or the encrypted image includes at least one ofenhancing or marking-up the one of the received image or the encryptedimage.
 4. The system of claim 2, wherein modifying the one of thereceived image or the encrypted image includes modifying only a portionof the received image or the encrypted image.
 5. The system of claim 1,wherein determining a difference between the received image of thetarget area of the patient and the reference image includes overlayingthe received image relative to the reference image.
 6. The system ofclaim 1, further comprising a personal communication device comprisingthe processor and the memory.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein theoperations further comprise storing the encrypted image in the memory.8. The system of claim 7, wherein the operations further compriseretrieving the encrypted image from being stored in the memory based ona fingerprint.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the operations furthercomprise communicating the difference between the received image and thereference image to a graphical user interface.
 10. The system of claim9, wherein an external display comprises the graphical user interface,the external display in communication with a personal communicationdevice comprising the processor and the memory.
 11. A method comprising:receiving, at a processor, an image from an image capturing device, theimage corresponding to a target area of a patient; encrypting, by theprocessor, the received image of the target area of the patient;determining, by the processor, a difference between the received imageof the target area of the patient and a reference image, the referenceimage corresponding to a previously-captured image of the target area;and diagnosing a condition based on the difference between the receivedimage and the reference image.
 12. The method of claim 11, furthercomprising modifying, by the processor, one of the received image or theencrypted image, and wherein diagnosing the condition includes comparingthe modified image to the reference image.
 13. The method of claim 12,wherein modifying the one of the received image or the encrypted imageincludes at least one of enhancing or marking-up the one of the receivedimage or the encrypted image.
 14. The method of claim 11, whereinmodifying the one of the received image or the encrypted image includesmodifying only a portion of the received image or the encrypted image.15. The method of claim 11, wherein determining a difference between thereceived image of the target area of the patient and the reference imageincludes overlaying the received image relative to the reference image.16. The method of claim 11, wherein a personal communication devicecomprises the processor and memory in communication with the processor,the memory storing instructions configured to be executed by theprocessor.
 17. The method of claim 11, further comprising storing, bythe processor, the encrypted image in memory in communication with theprocessor.
 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising retrieving, bythe processor, the encrypted image from the memory based on afingerprint.
 19. The method of claim 11, further comprisingcommunicating, by the processor, the difference between the receivedimage and the reference image to a graphical user interface.
 20. Themethod of claim 19, wherein an external display comprises the graphicaluser interface, the external display in communication with a personalcommunication device comprising the processor.